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Revisiting The Owl Pictograph

Saturday, February 3, 2018

After spending the previous weekend exploring the Coyote Buttes in Arizona, it was time for me to stay a little closer to home and take things easy for a change. When Diane and I had visited the San Rafael Reef a few weekends ago we were hoping to stop by a very cool pictograph of an owl in the Book Cliffs on our way home, but we ran out of time and daylight and didn’t get the chance. I guess we spent too much time in Chute Canyon! I had visited this owl pictograph back in 2011 and have wanted to return for a while and Diane was very interested in seeing it for the first time, so I figured that checking it out and exploring the surrounding canyon would make for a nice half-day adventure.

Heading into the Book Cliffs on our way to the owl pictograph.

Book Cliffs Morning

A red horned shield pictograph we stopped at along the way. These horned shields seem to be a common theme in this part of the Book Cliffs.

Red Horned Shield

Following a sage-lined road deeper into the canyon.

Sage-Lined Road

Finally we reached the amazing and colorful owl pictograph.

Owl Pictograph

Here’s a closer look…

Book Cliffs Owl

We went on a short hike to see what else we could find.

Canyon View

All we found was this red splotch of paint and a few faded petroglyphs.

Red Splotch & Faded Petroglyph

Lower Petroglyphs

Diane hikes ahead of me while searching the canyon walls for rock art.

Book Cliffs Exploring

>> Revisiting The Owl Pictograph Photo Gallery

5 Comments

  1. Gary Voeste
    Gary Voeste February 20, 2018

    Did you go in through the big wooden gate or some other way?

  2. C Vandenberg
    C Vandenberg May 20, 2021

    Can you say more about where it is? You can send it via email if you prefer

  3. Fred Palombi
    Fred Palombi September 12, 2021

    Hi, Randy! Fred Palombi from Boulder, Colorado we were supposed to hike together in the Needles area but it did not work out for some reason. I was wondering if you could at least give me a hint of which exit off I-70 for the Owl pictograph. Thanks, Fred.

  4. Jamie Emerson
    Jamie Emerson March 7, 2022

    Hello, I spent the second half of a day searching in the canyon I thought this was in but was unable to find it. Stonewalled by a locked “private property” gate. Would be happy to share more details in private but was hoping maybe you’d be willing to offer some assistance! I’d rather not spend another day driving around the book cliffs to see nothing! My email is xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com

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